25 Home Remedies for Headache + Infographic

November 20, 2013

11 min read

What is Headache?

Headache is the pain or discomfort, which arises in the head or upper neck. Though, brain does not have any nerves that originate the pain, but swelling in the periosteum (a membrane that surrounds the brain’s surface, nerves, veins, arteries, spinal cord, sinuses, ears and eyes) causes the pain. You may experience mild, throbbing, intense, constant, or sharp.

Causes

Headaches are not only caused by tension or stress. There are various other causes of headache, which are:

Symptoms

When a person suffers with headache, he experiences the following symptoms:

Dull ache affecting entire head.

Pain during sleep, which lasts for at least 90 minutes.

Migraine starts with a mild to moderate pain and then, turn severe.

Throbbing sensation

Sensitivity to sound and light

Vomiting or nausea

Redness of eye

Loss of appetite

Nasal congestion

Fever and dizziness

Unclear vision and fatigue

Constant pain in forehead, cheekbones, and bridge of the nose.

Home Remedies for Headache

Headache is the most common health problem, visible in adults, children and aged persons. It is mainly the result of overdriven lifestyle. Headaches occur in different forms, like cluster headache, migraine headache, tension headache, or hangover-type headache. In all these types of headache, the pain is very severe and affects the normal routine. Here are some natural and herbal home remedies, which are beneficial for instant headache relief. These remedies are also effective for migraine headaches.

1. Mint Juice

Mint contains components, namely methane and menthol, which are helpful in reducing pain in the head. Mint is helpful for those, who suffer migraine headache. You can simply put mint tea compresses directly on your forehead.

Take some fresh mint leaves. Crush it and squeeze out its juice. Place it directly on the forehead to relieve pain.
Coriander juice can also be used for getting rid of the headache.

2. Ginger

Ginger is helpful in working against the inflammation of blood vessels, present in the head. It relieves discomfort. Take a cup of water and add some tea leaves and ginger to it. Add sugar and milk as per your taste. Drink the tea, two times a day.

You can also inhale vapours of ginger. Add some raw ginger or ginger powder in water. Boil it and intake its vapours to feel calmness.
Else, take ginger juice and lemon juice in equal proportion. Mix it and drink it twice a day.
You can also form a paste of two tablespoons of water and one teaspoon of ginger powder. Stir it well and apply it directly on forehead.
The simplest way to avoid headache is to chew crystallized ginger candy.

3. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is one of the best home remedies for headache. It helps in opening and closing the vessels in the head, which accelerates the flow of blood. It ultimately reduces headache. Take some peppermint oil and gently massage it on your forehead, temples, and back of jaws.

Other option is to crush the peppermint and place it directly on forehead.
Steaming can also prove beneficial. You are required to put a few drops of peppermint oil in boiling water. Now, inhale the steam or vapours for some time to reduce the head pain.
You can also place peppermint tea bags directly on eyelids for five minutes to experience a soothing relief.

4. Ice Pack

During headache, you feel very low and warm. To reduce the inflammation, ice can be used. To get relief in migraine pain, rub some ice on the back of your neck.

For headache, you need to dip a clean washcloth in cold water and put it directly on your forehead. Leave it for five minutes. Repeat the process multiple times, maintaining the time gap.
Apart from this, you can also use frozen vegetable bag for cold compress.

5. Lavender Oil

Lavender oil is known for its calming and soothing effects. It is commonly known as a relaxant and is the best treatment for headache. Boil some water in a vessel. Add a few drops of lavender oil in it. Inhale the steam to get relaxed. For best results, practise this method multiple times a day.
Alternatively, apply some lavender oil on the forehead. This remedy will help you to relieve pain.

Note- Lavender oil cannot be taken orally.

6. Basil

Basil is known for its medicinal properties. It can be beneficial for severe headache. Take some fresh basil leaves and put it in a cup of boiling water. Let it steep for some time. Then, drink it.

You can also chew some fresh basil leaves when you suffer from a mild headache.

7. Cloves

Cloves are useful in curing tension headaches. Crush some cloves and wrap them in a piece of cloth. When you suffer with headache, inhale the smell of crushed cloves. This will surely provide you relief in headache.
You can also make a paste by crushing some cloves and apply it directly on forehead.
Other option is to use clove oil with some salt. Mix it and gently rub it on your forehead. You will get relief in headache with a cooling effect.

8. Rosemary

The rosmarinic acid, found in rosemary, is helpful in healing headache. Take some rosemary oil and massage it on the head to relieve pain.
You can also make a herbal tea of rosemary. Take some rosemary leaves and crush them. Now, put the crushed leaves in water to boil and add one teaspoon of sage leaves in it. Cover the boiling water and let the tea cool down at room temperature. Drink this herbal tea twice or thrice a day.

9. Apples

Apples are very effective against headache. All you need to do is to eat an apple daily. For best results, sprinkle some salt on it. It maintains the acid levels of the body.

10. Apple Cider Vinegar

Add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and stir it well. Drink the solution to heal the headache.

11. Cinnamon

Headaches, associated with common cold, can be treated with the help of cinnamon. Take a stick of cinnamon and crush it. Add some water to make a smooth paste. Put the paste on the head for a few minutes.
You can also mix two teaspoons of cinnamon powder in 1½ cup of milk and boil it for two minutes. Mix a teaspoon of honey in it and stir it well. Drink the mixture two times a day to get relief in headache.

12. Green Tea

Green tea, generally regarded as a health-promoting drink, is rich in antioxidants. Squeeze half lemon in it and drink it warm. It is a natural remedy to cure headache.

13. Watermelon

Add one tablespoon of sugar in a glass of watermelon juice. Stir it well and drink it.You can also prepare watermelon smoothie. Blend two cups seeded watermelon, half cup of yogurt, half cup of crushed ice, half teaspoon grated ginger, and some honey. Drink it to get relief in headache.

14. Massage

Massage is the best remedy for headache. To get temporary relief, massage your neck, shoulders, head, and back. Rub your temples smoothly and massage under the areas of eyebrows to get relief in headache. You can place wet warm cloth on the face before massage to let muscles relax.

Note- Before starting massage, drink a glass of water.

15. Relaxation Activities

Relaxation activities help in reducing stress, which ultimately prevents headache. Some relaxing activities include listening to music, deep breathing and get enough sleep. You can also try some exercises to relieve headache.

16. Warm Shower or Bath

Hot water is used for treating various health issues. You should take hot water shower to relieve headache. During the shower or bath, let the hot water flow over the back and neck area of your body. The heat of water will lessen muscle tension, thereby alleviating headache.
You can also soak yourself in hot water tub for some time.

17. Hydrotherapy

In this therapy, you are required to stand in hot water for two minutes and then, in cold water for two minutes. This process will regulate the flow of blood. Practise the process for 20 minutes.

18. Spicy Food

To get relief in headache, you can also have some spicy food. You can grab some hot pepper or spicy salsa. You can also sprinkle some pepper flakes or cayenne on your food. Capsaicin is also effective for curing headache.

19. Sesame Seeds

To prevent migraine pain, sesame seeds are very effective. As they are enriched in vitamin E, sesame seeds are helpful in stabilizing the oestrogen levels. Sesame seeds are also rich in magnesium, which increase the headache-preventing power.

20. Physical Exercises

For treating headache, physical exercises are good remedies. Yoga provides fruitful results in healing several health problems. Camel pose is also effective in curing headache.

Sit in a comfortable and quite place. Relax your body while concentrating on breathing.
You can also enjoy 10 minutes walk or do some stretching exercises, including rolling your neck, forward and upward movement of shoulder, and neck isometrics.

21. Spinach Salad

Spinach is helpful in alleviating headache. Prepare salad of some spinach leaves. Add ¾ cup of cubed watermelon, ½ cup of dried apricots and two tablespoon chopped almonds or walnuts. Sprinkle some raspberry vinaigrette in it. Have it.

22. Yogurt

Yogurt is a great source of calcium. The brain is dependent on calcium to function effectively. When you are suffering with headache, eat some yogurt.

Note- Don’t add sugar to it.

23. Baked Potato

Baked potato is rich in potassium, which helps in soothing pain in the head. If your headache is caused by alcohol, baked potato is effective.

24. Darkened Room

Turn off the lights and rest for ten minutes in darkness. Close your eyes and relax. Sometimes, reducing the sensory input is the best way to get rid of throbbing pain in the head.

25. Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds can heal the pain in the head. During headache, eat some raw pumpkin seeds. They are rich in magnesium sulphate, which are helpful in curing headache.

Homeopathic Remedies for Headache

Homeopathic treatments are safe to help a headache. The best part is that they do not cause any side-effect. Though, homeopathy works slowly, but, it will ultimately cure the headache. Below are some homeopathic remedies for pain in the head.

1. Natrum muriaticum : It is used for severe migraine and hammering headaches. When you feel tingling or numbness on the face or lips and sensitivity to light before headache, you can take this medicine.

2. Sepia : When pain comes in jerks or shocks, and the person feels comfortable lying on the painful side, this homeopathic remedy is advised. This medicine also works wonder when left-sided migraines are accompanied with nausea and dizziness, and the headache worsens during menopause or menstrual periods.

3. Sanguinaria : It is used when person suffers with tension, bursting feeling in eyes, and digestive problems during migraine and headaches.

4. Belladonna : When there is a throbbing head pain, and migraine starts in back of skull and spread to the forehead and temples, belladonna is used.

5. Silicea : It is used when headache starts throbbing in the right side and occurs due to mental exertion.

6. Nux Vom 200C : It is used when a person suffers with typical hangover-type headache and brain feels like swirling.

7. Glonoinum 200C : It is used when there is an extreme pain in the head and throbbing in ears. This homeopathic remedy is useful in cases, when headache surfaces due to long sitting in the sun.

Preventive Measures for Headache

To reduce the severity of headaches, follow some preventive measures, which are given below:

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